Rolling hills covered in vineyards, tiny medieval villages lost in time, great architecture and sparkling wine. The road from the Venice to Ljubljana is full of delights to explore. Another small group adventure ahead with Adventures with Sarah and Savor the Experience Tours!Sarah and Andrew are joining forces to give you a taste of undiscovered regions on an Italy and Slovenia tour with a focus on food and wine. The tour will explore the connections between two beautiful and historic countries, visiting places that most tourists have never heard of.Sarah, a tour guide specializing in Italy, has picked a sample of small, off-the-beaten-path villages to give a new perspective on her favorite country. Andrew, who lives in Slovenia and specializes in food tours, has selected his favorite Slovenian destinations, visits with friends and feasts on local cuisine.The first part of the tour will visit the region north of Venice, which was once the inland empire of that famous city. Walled fortress cities are nestled into the vineyards of one of Italy’s largest wine growing regions. A country stay at an Agriturismo will slow the pulse and teach the meaning of La Dolce Vita.Sarah’s dream has always been to add spontaneity to group travel, so a day will be reserved for surprise adventures and exploration of Palladio villas. We will finish our Italian adventure in the city that connects the two cultures, Trieste.Once in Slovenia we’ll focus on the wine and food. We’ll also see an award-winning World War I museum before enjoying long gourmet lunch in the countryside.  We will visit Skocjan caves, Predjama castle, charming Ljubljana and nearly a full day at Lake Bled with a farewell dinner in a castle on an island.

Why Go With Us?

Sarah and Andrew have been friends for over 20 years, long before their tour guiding days. Sarah has worked as a tour guide and guidebook writer for Rick Steves since 2000 and has extensive knowledge of art, history, and architecture (her former profession). Andrew has been leading small group culinary tours of Eastern Europe for many years, operating his own tour company and forming close relationships with winery owners, chefs and locals. He relocated his family to Slovenia and enjoys sharing his adopted culture with visitors.While their paths have taken them to different parts of Europe, they have always thought it would be fun to do a tour together, pulling from each other’s strengths. They both have an interest in taking travelers to lesser known parts of Europe, and developing a style of travel that is local, educational, fun and relaxing. After many chats over Slovenian wine, they decided to take the plunge and offer this unique itinerary. Come along for a grand adventure!

This is Not Your Ordinary Tour

My main goal is to provide outstanding experiences for an outstanding value. We have created a boutique tour experience at affordable prices. For same the cost of larger, mainstream tours, you’ll get two experienced guides, a small group of no more than 16, great hotels and fantastic, curated food experiences.

Details

Tour Dates: October 7-17 2019Tour begins October 7 at 4 pm in Castlefranco Veneto, one hour by train from Venice. Airport, Venice Marco Polo (VCE).Tour ends in Ljubljana, Slovenia, depart any time on October 17. Airport, Ljubljana (LJU), or Venice (VCE). We can arrange transfers for an additional fee.Price: $3400, air not included, Single Supplement $600. We welcome singles and can try to pair you with another single to room with, but the single supplement will be required if we can’t. Prices includes 10 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, 4 dinners, 4 lunches, transportation within the tour, tips and taxes.

THIS IS A SMALL GROUP TOUR!

After thoroughly enjoying our very small group in 2018, we have decided to limit the tour to no more than 16, likely fewer.

Itinerary 

Days 1 —3 Vino in the Veneto

• Tour begins is the charming village of Castelfranco Veneto. We’ll meet for introductions and take a stroll into Giorgione’s hometown, with a welcome dinnner
• Visit to Bassano del Grappa and a tasting of the city’s most famous spirit

• A tour of the architecture of Palladio, one of the most famous Italian architects who inspired the architecture of colonial America. An afternoon in Vicenza to explore more of his work
• Driving along the Prosecco road, with a Prosecco tasting
• A stay at an agriturismo, an Italian farmhouse, and a dinner of local specialties
• 2 nights Castlefranco Veneto, 1 night Prosecco area agriturismo

Days 4 & 5 overnight in Goriska Brda wine region of Slovenia

• Cividale del Friuli visit, a medieval city full of tasty treats
• Visit to Smartno, a small artisan village near the Italian border
• 5 course dinner paired with wines at Kabaj Morel Winery (Top 100 Wineries in World by Wine & Spirits). Kabaj specializes in macerated wines (‘orange’ or ‘amber’ wines)

• Sparkling wine tasting and tour of Brda’s oldest cellar (13th century)
• 2 nights, Brda region country hotel

Days 6 & 7 overnight in Izola, Slovenia

• Visit to WWI museum
• Special lunch paired with local wines at a gourmet countryside restaurant

• A morning walking tour of Trieste with a free afternoon to enjoy this delightful port city that fuses Venice and Vienna
• Tour and lunch at organic olive oil farm overlooking the Adriatic Sea
• 2 nights in the charming small fishing village of Izola on Slovenia’s Istrian coast

Days 8, 9 & 10 overnight in Ljubljana, Slovenia

• Visit and tour of Skocjan caves featuring deepest underground canyon in Europe– like a film set straight out of Lord of the Rings

• Visit to Predjama castle, hanging off a cliff, which has legends of a Slovenian Robin Hood attached to it
• Guided walking tour of Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana, a pocket-size Prague/Vienna oozing with charm and delicious goodness at its riverside market

• A full day of leisure time to explore Ljubljana
• Visit to Lake Bled Castle and gondola ride out to Bled Island
• Visit a bee keeper’s farm with tastings of honey brandy and honey products
• Country lunch at a friend’s farmhouse, who makes herbal liqueurs, craft beer, craft apple cider and home-made cakes

• 3-course farewell dinner at Bled castle, affording beautiful views of the lake & the alps
• 3 nights, Ljubljana

October 17- transfer to Ljubljana or Venice airport

Ready to Book?

Email Sarah at sarah@adventureswithsarah.net to find out if space is available. The deposit is $600 per person. Balance is due 60 days before departure.Due to the limited number of guests we can take, reserve this tour quickly!Veneto tour, Slovenia tour, Adventures with Sarah Tours